Caroline Banks

One-minute blog of interesting things

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As a working contemporary artist I visit many exhibitions and shows, but sometimes it is the things I see that are part of daily life that capture my interest. My one-minute blog of interesting things reflects the fact that although we are increasingly time-poor, there is creativity all around us.

Out Of Town

Peter and Sean Leonard recently opened Out Of Town, a cafe, shop and bar in Great Sutton Street which caters to many impulses. When I popped in at about 10am coffees were being served as well as furniture and accessories sold in a very relaxed, almost villagey atmosphere. The purchasing philosophy is simple: Peter and […]

Maps wherever I look – design and colour ideas

Is it because we are in a period of flux and uncertainty with boundaries evolving  in our lives? Whatever is happening, there is an awful lot of diverse mapping imagery at the moment. Firstly discussion on the many varied roles of maps in a historical context: accuracy came  far behind expressions of power, glory, wealth and plain old PR. Commissioning maps has […]

Inspirational Venue: Cholmeley Boys’ Club

I happened upon this interior on the way to a meeting this morning. I’ve passed it so many times yet had never visited till today. Some fabulous furniture in a very atmospheric space.

10 rules of good design by Dieter Ram

Given that there is so much “design” around, much of it less than wonderful, the views of Dieter Ram, one of the masters of product design, are worth remembering. Good design is … 1. innovative 2. makes a product useful 3. is aesthetic 4. makes a product understandable 5. is unobtrusive 6.is honest 7. is long […]

Country garden bouquets at Hampton Court Flower Show

Last Week’s Hampton Court Flower Show was a delight although many of the flowers in the Rose Pavilion were visibly wilting in the intense heat. The freshest cut flowers on display were  from Charlie Ryrie on the Real Cut Flower Garden stand. This was full of  lovely garden flowers displayed in vintage containers which looked very happy even […]

New Designers Part 2

It’s been a busy few weeks for the new graduates with individual Degree shows still taking place in addition to the big combined ones here in London. Part 2 of New Designers includes furniture, automotive and product design, illustration and spatial design. Here are a very few items; as ever there are many more talented designers but […]

Quilts 1700-2010. Victoria & Albert Museum

Now closed, this was the surprise hit of the V & A’s spring season. It must be the revival of interest in making and re-use to produce something both functional and unique that brought in the crowds. We are used to seeing American quilts but these European ones opened up a whole new discourse. The […]

New Designers Part 1

Now is the time of year when colleges throw all these fresh new designers out into an already crowded marketplace. I love seeing the range of work produced from all over the UK. This week is textiles, ceramics, glass, silversmithing and jewellery design. It can be very daunting as a visitor – things have a tendancy to merge […]